Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1887-09-16
WHAT OUR FARMERS SAY.
To the Editor Of the RECORD.

UloA VVu lHuWIU0 OHls
To the Editor Of the RECORD.
DAsBunY, OAK, Sept s. 1857.
settled in Emmons county in March,
1886, and my family arrived in the fol-
Lowing May. Ny residence latterly had
been In Detroit, Mich, but I was born
and formerly lived in Bucks county, Pa.
y Dakota is q very healthful region. The
air il pure and dry. The water is good,
and there are no stagnant ponds to be
found in this part Of the territory, and
therefore ague and kindred ills are un-
known.
In Emnons County the soil is deep and
rich. In digging my we'll I found the
black top soil SIX feet deep. The depth
Of soil ranges probably from two to six
feet. The subsoil is also deep, and is
we'll supplied with plant food, as is shown
by the way seeds grow when accidentally
dropped or planted In sub.sotl thrown
out of wells and cellars. The richuess of
the soil is shown by the good crops grown
on the same ground during successive
years, without manuring and with care
less farming. The depth and porosity Of
the soil give 1t the important quality Of
enduring or overcoming tho effects of
drought. Water from the clouds, as ram
or melting snow. sinks deeply into the
ground, whence during dry season it
rises up by capillary attraction and fur
nishes to the plants the needed moisture
The year 1885 was one of great drought,
and. while the crops of many localities in
some states were total failure, in this
county and in this neighborhood there
was wheat that yielded IA bushels to the
acre, with good barley, gsod potatoes,
and good garden vegetables.
The same quality Of the soil that causes
it to absorb moisture renders this region
free from muddy roads. While in some
states the roads are almost impossible
during month or more in the spring,
here the roads are always good.
The rainfall here is sufficient for the
crops, but not excessive. While in many
of the states the farmer 10 compelled to
stop work week or mere at time on
account of excessive rains, here he
seldom loses an entire Gay. It is q
curious fuct. but an important one,
that the rain falls mostly during the time
It Is needed by the crops, and ceases after
the crops have matured. in October and
November.
Along the Missouri river, dozen miles
from here, is woodland, where the settlers
can get wood for building purposes and
fer fuel and the Ignite ceal, which is
found in this and neighboring counties,
will furnish full supply of fuel where
wood may be deficient.
In winter the mercury in the thermem-
eter will stand lower here than in places
further south but the same degree OF
cold does not ahect q person in this dry,
pure air nearly az much as it does IN the
moist atmosphere of the ca stern states.
- Good crops of potatoes, corn, oats, fax,
turnips, beets and other vegetables have
been raised on sod the same year the
breaking was done, with no working of
the ground after seeding or planting.
Better craps can be raised, however, after
the ground has been worked . few years.
wish, and must do as they can thus
some are compelled to do careless farming
for time. But it is q well established
fact that careful farming, including
proper working of the sell, will pay as
we'll here as anywhere else, and that by
proper working Of the soil alone can We
secure crops iu their perfection.
Last year had fourteen acres of break
ing done, which I sowsd with wheat this
year. Tho sowing was not thick enough,
but the estimated yield ia Is bushels per
acre. Some wheat ia this neighborhood
will yield AZ much as 25 bushels to the
acre. Roet crops will be large. A tur-
nip not yet full grown. from my garden,
measured 80 inches in circumference and
weighed ten pounds There are probably
still larger ones in the neighborhoed
The splendid yield Of corn this year shows
that we can successfully raise that cereal,
and next year much larger acreage will
be planted.
Z The settlers in Emmons county are GEN
orally we'll educated and intelligent, indus
trious and enterprising. They have built
neat, substantial school houses, and they
are we'll furnished. Good schools are in
successful operation, with good teachers
taken from among the settlers. Sunday
schools are established in different parts
of the county, and several churches have
already been organized.
: There is yet plenty Of good govern
msnt land IN this and adjacent neighbor-
hoods, but it will not remain long un-
entered F; and those who desire to obtain
homes in Emmons county should there
fore do so without delay.
Respectfully, JOHN F. GEL.